The contents of this publication, which has been prepared by the 2013 Economic Development Financial Support Programme of the Silk Road Development Agency does not represent the views of the Silk Road Development Agency and/or the Ministry of Development. Sole responsibility for the content lies with Neva Bilgi Teknolojileri Medya ve Danışmanlık Hizmetleri San. Tic. Ltd. Şti.

Ravanda Tour and Alternative

As you leave the mausoleum heading towards Kilis, follow the road east in the direction of Elbeyli and you will see, stretching as far as the eye can see, the vast Mercidabık Plain which holds great importance as an original Turkish homeland.

The Battle of Mercidabık between the Mamluk and Ottoman armies took place in 1516. The victorious Ottomans went on to add Syria, Lebanon and Palestine to their growing lands which paved the way for the caliphate of the Ottoman dynasty. The victory at Mercidabık brought many religious, poitical, military and financial advantages to the Ottoman Empire, and was the beginning of 400 years of Ottoman rule in the region.

In the centre of the town of Yavuzlu there are 3 monuments dedicated to the Ottoman padishah Yavuz Sultan Selim who was instrumental in this magnificent victory. The first monument, standing in the Yavuzlu Municipality gardens, is a bust statue. The second monument, 100 m northeast of this, displays the words “Even if the enemy soldiers are on all sides, I will not turn away from battle”. Immediately opposite this stands a statue of Yavuz Sultan Selim Han on horseback with his sword.